KOHIMA, May 8 – The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM) said it was committed to “peaceful means for solution” to the more-than-half-a-century old Indo-Naga political problem but lamented that “Indians’ commitment leaves much to be desired despite assurances” reports NEPS. In an exclusive interview to a Netherlands based national daily that made available to North East Press Service Tuesday, General Secretary of the NSCN (IM) Thuingaleng Muivah, however, asserted that the unification of “Naga territories” and their national identities were “non-negotiable. “In other words, the integration of Naga areas is a must, and the destiny of the Nagas must be left to the Nagas themselves,” he stated.
Replying to a query on how realistic the greater Nagaland or Nagalim was, Muivah, who was in the news when he came to Delhi after 30 years to hold political negotiation with Indian authorities, said such a question didn’t arise as Nagas along with their homeland were divided “arbitrarily” by the “British and the Government of India.” Stating that the Nagas’ desire to live together was natural, the NSCN (IM) leader made it clear that there would be no peace whatsoever until “this rightful aspiration of the Nagas is respected.” “Is it not an insult to talk of solution keeping the Nagas divided against their aspiration?” he further questioned.
On the reports of forced collection of taxes from the Naga public in Nagaland at gun point, Muivah admitted that people in Nagaland were “over-taxed.” But all these activities were the by-product of the Government of India. He recalled as to how the Naga National Council (NNC) had totally betrayed the national cause to India in the “notorious Shillong Accord of 1975.” Therefore, the issue was no more with them. Yet, the Government of India was still “propping them up” disturbing the people and the patriots, Muivah stated.
The NSCN (IM) General Secretary said the “Khaplang group” also betrayed the cause in 1988 when the latter declared that the Indian troops were not their enemy. “Since then they collaborated with the India armed forces fighting against us, the NSCN who have steadfastly defended the right of Nagalim to date,” he further said. “Thus, the national issue is no longer in the hand of the Khaplang group either,” Muivah pointed out, adding the Government of India, however, still gave them free hand to “collect taxes” from the people at gun point purposely to “undermine our hold on the people.”
The NSCN (IM) leader said in spite of such an adverse state of affairs, they always had the people with them and further described them as “our mainstay” even for all time to come. Muivah also dismissed allegations that the newly installed NPF-led DAN Government in Nagaland was the political face of the NSCN (IM). He said such allegation was hatched by SC Jamir to cover up his shame of defeat. “None in the NPF was supported from our side nor have we ever participated in the India sponsored election,” he asserted, adding they did not finance any of the NPF candidates either.
Asked if NSCN (IM) would lay down its guns, Muivah said, “Nagas under the leadership of the NSCN will never lay down from their hands three things: Their arms, their freedom and their territories,” although the talks were on. Muivah also felt that so long as occupation of Nagalim by the Indian armed forces continued, there would be no ‘change for the better’ whatsoever. But when India respected the reality of the Nagas and stopped suppressing the truth, a change was inevitable and that change would be certainly for the better, he added.